Method of making plated



(No Model.)

0. E. SMITH.

METHOD OF MAKING PLATED WIRE. No. 448,594. Patented Mar. 17,1891.

WITN Ess EE- I INVENTOR- U vrmnn Status CHARLES R. SMITH, OF PROVIDENCE,RIIODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE C. R. SMITH PLATING COMPANY, OF KENTUCKY.

METHOD OF MAKING PLATED WlRE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 4A8,594, dated March17, 1891.

Application filed December 24, 1890. Serial No. 3751711. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES B. SMITH, of the city and county ofProvidence, in the State of Rhode Island,have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Processes of Manufacturing Plated \Vire; and I dohereby declare the following to be a specification thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings. I

Like letters indicate like parts.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the metallic core of my improved platedwire. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevationof said core after it has been electroplated with another metal. Fig. 4.is a perspective View of the outer metallic shell. Fig. 5 is an end Viewof-the same. Fig. 6 shows in perspective the shell in position upon theelectroplated core. Fig. 7 is an end View of the same. Fig. 8 is a sideelevation of the plated Wire, which is the product of my improvedprocess.

My invention relates to the processes of plating wires for variouspurposes required 2 5 in the arts; and it consists in electroplating ametallic rod or core with a metal which is fusible at a comparativelyless degree of heat than said rod, then putting on said electroplatedrod a metallic shell or tube for an exterior surface, then subjectingsaid compound rod to a sufficient degree of heat to melt theelectro-deposited metal, thereby soldering the shell or tube to the rod,and then reducing said rod to wire by drawing, rolling, or in any othersuitable manner.

This process is adapted to the formation of plated wires composed of anysuitable metals; but 1 will proceed to describe my invention asapplicable to the manufacture of goldplated wire, for which purpose itis especially useful in making stock for jewelers use.

In the drawings, A represents a rod or core of composition or basemetal. Upon this rod A, I deposit, by the wellknown method ofelectroplating, a thin layer or film B, preferably of silver or othereasily-fusible metal. A flux ing material (borax) may be applied. ornot, as may be desired. A shell 0 of gold, drawn up in the usual mannerfrom sheet-stock, with a longitudinal opening a, is placed upon saidelectroplated rod A B, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The whole is thensubjected to heat in any suitable manner until the layer or film ofelectro-deposited metal B is fused. The shell 0 is thus soldered uponthe rod A. This compound structure is then reduced to wire by drawing,or any other of the well-known methods for that purpose, and the productis a plated wire, as illustrated in Fig. 8. The opening a, of Figs. (3and '7 is tightly closed by the reducing process and becomes a scarcelyperceptible line a, as seen in Fig. 8. If, however, such an opening isundesirable, I can use, instead of a split shell 0, a seamless tube ofgold made in any of the well-known .methods.

'heat sufficient to fuse said electro-deposited metal, thereby solderingthe shell or tube to the rod, and then reducing the same to wire by anyof the usual methods for that purpose, substantially as specified.

2. The improved process of making plated wire herein described,consisting in depositing upon a metallic rod by electroplating a thinlayer or film of another metal, then coating said rod with a fiuxingmaterial, then placing upon said electroplated and fluxed rod a metallicshell or tube, then subjecting the whole to heat suflieient to fuse saidelectro deposited metal, thereby soldering the shell or tube to the rod,and then reducing the same to Wire by any of the usual methods for 0that purpose, substantially as specified.

CHARLES R. SMITH.

I'Vitnesses:

WARREN R. Pnnon, E. N. GLovD.

